George H.W. Bush's funeral services stand as America's goodbye to the Greatest Generation

With the passing of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush in the past year, the future still looks bright for the next generation of Bush children.
USA TODAY

Former White House Chief of Staff James Baker after he gave a eulogy at the funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018.(Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)

“George Bush was a charter member of the Greatest Generation,” his closest friend, former Secretary of State James Baker, declared in his eulogy. “His incredible service to the nation and the world is already etched in the marble of time.”

A day earlier, at Washington’s National Cathedral, historian Jon Meacham called Bush “America’s last great soldier-statesman, a 20th-century founding father,” one in a line of presidents “who believed in causes larger than themselves.” Bush was the last president to have served in combat.

It was author and TV anchor Tom Brokaw who dubbed it the Greatest Generation, the Americans who had survived the Great Depression and then fought in World War II. That conflict was the formative experience for many, including George Herbert Walker Bush, a son of privilege from Greenwich, Connecticut. His determination to accomplish something big in his life, something meaningful, was fueled when he survived being shot down over the Pacific and his two crew members didn’t.

Bush was one of the youngest Navy pilots when he enlisted on his 18th birthday, in 1942. He ended up living to age 94, old enough to see many of the classmates from his prep school and the men in his squadron and his colleagues in Congress pass away.

He died last week at his home here, a few blocks from the spired church he had attended for a half-century.

At the National Cathedral service Wednesday, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney described a small wooden plaque Bush once showed him on the oceanside wall of his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. It was inscribed with a pilot’s acronym that summed up his approach to life: “CAVU,” for “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.”

At the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church service Thursday, the friend who made the plaque was sitting in the pews.

Dan Gillcrist was a junior business executive and a former submariner when he volunteered for Bush’s early Senate campaign, a travel aide to the candidate as he crisscrossed the state. Years later, when they saw each other at the funeral for another Navy man, Bush admired the CAVU sign placed near his casket and asked Gillcrist, an amateur wood craftsman, to make one for him.

Gillcrist ended up making several of them for Bush over the next decade or so to display in his homes and give as gifts to foreign dignitaries and others. He understood why the phrase meant so much to the former president.

“To the young Navy carrier pilot Lt. j.g. George H.W. Bush, the expression 'CAVU' took on greater meaning following the war,” Gillcrist said. “I believe that a great many of our ‘boys’ coming home safe and sound from the crucible of that war felt the same as George Bush.” They were grateful to have escaped death when many of their friends didn’t. The lesson they learned: “Every new day is going to be a gift I will not squander.”

The service at the cathedral Wednesday had been grand and global, five presidents and dozens of foreign dignitaries in attendance.

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During his eulogy at George H.W. Bush's state funeral in Texas, former U.S. secretary of state James Baker gets emotional remembering his friend.
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The service at the church Thursday had a cozier feel, though every seat was taken. The tributes were delivered by Baker, his best friend, and by George P. Bush, his oldest grandson and the one who carries his name.

“He often talked about the timeless creed of duty, honor, country – the values that have sustained the republic,” said Bush, now the land commissioner of Texas, the only grandchild who has followed the man he calls “Gamps” into elective office. “But that wasn’t something he just talked about. It was something he lived.”

George H.W. Bush had moved back to Houston after the worst political defeat of his life, crushed after losing the White House to Bill Clinton, a man he then saw as undeserving of the Oval Office, although they later became close friends. When he and his wife, Barbara, landed at Ellington Air Force Base in late afternoon on that difficult Inauguration Day in 1993, they had been cheered by the sight of store signs welcoming them and well-wishers lining the route to the house they had rented while a new one was being built for them.

They never forgot one couple standing on the bed of their pickup, parked by the side of the road, holding a handwritten sign that said “Welcome Home.”

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Visitors take pictures and look at the gravesite of former US President George H.W. Bush, center, his wife Barbara Bush, left, and their daughter Robin at the Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas on Dec. 8, 2018. Bush died at the age of 94 on Nov. 30, 2018 at his home in Texas. George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States (1989-1993). Larry W. Smith, EPA-EFE

The gravesite of former US President George H.W. Bush, center, his wife Barbara Bush , right, and their daughter Robin at the Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas on Dec. 8, 2018. Larry W. Smith, EPA-EFE

Security unlocks the gate for people waiting in line outside the gate to have a look at the gravesite of former US President George H.W. Bush, his wife Barbara Bush and their daughter Robin at the Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas on Dec. 8, 2018. Larry W. Smith, EPA-EFE

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard for burial at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum on Dec. 6, 2018 in College Station, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. Pool photo by David J. Phillip

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard followed by family members at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in College Station, Texas. Pool photo by Jeff Roberson

Family members follow the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in College Station, Texas. Pool photo by Matt York, Getty Images

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard followed by family members the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in College Station, Texas. Pool photo by Jeff Roberson

The Hearse carrying the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, arrives at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum in College Station on Thursday, Dec 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco, USA TODAY Network

Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets salute the hearse carrying George H.W. Bush as it arrives at the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum in College Station on Thursday, Dec 6, 2018. Courtney Sacco, USA TODAY Network

A joint military honor guard carries the casket of former President George H.W. Bush after it arrived by a presidential funeral train at Texas A&M University in College Station for burial at the George Bush Presidential Library on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, second from left, with wife Columba, and former President George W. Bush, center, with wife Laura, and other family members, watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard after if arrived by train for burial at the George Bush Presidential Library, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in College Station. Eric Gay, AP

People pay their respects as the train carrying the casket of former US President George H.W. Bush passes along the route from Spring to College Station, Texas on Dec. 6, 2018. David J. Phillip, AFP/Getty Images

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush passes through Magnolia, Texas, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, along the route from Spring to College Station, Texas. Pool photo by David J. Phillip

People line the tracks along a rural road as they wait for the train carrying the casket of former President George H.W. Bush to his final resting place on Dec. 6, 2018 near Whitehall, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. Scott Olson, Getty Images

People pay their respects as the train carrying the casket of former President George H.W. Bush passes through Navasota, Texas, along the route from Spring to College Station, Texas on Dec. 6, 2018. Pool photo by David J. Phillip, EPA-EFE

People pay their respects as the train carrying the casket of former US President George H.W. Bush passes on Dec. 6, 2018, along the route from Spring to College Station, Texas. David J. Phillip, AFP/Getty Images

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard on Dec. 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. President Bush will be buried at his final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. Pool photo by David J. Phillip

A Union Pacific locomotive, painted to look like Air Force One, will carry former President George H.W. Bush to his resting place in College Station, Texas waits at the station on Dec. 6, 2018 in Spring, Texas. Joe Raedle, Getty Images

People line the road as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush heads to the Union Pacific train facility on Dec. 6, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Pool by David J. Phillip

U.S. Service Members with the Ceremonial Honor Guard carry the casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the Funeral Service, St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018. Rachel Clow, USA TODAY Network

The family of former President George H.W. Bush, including former president George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, watch as the casket is escorted following the Funeral Service, St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018. Rachel Clow, USA TODAY Network

U.S. Service Members with the Ceremonial Honor Guard carry the casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the Funeral Service, St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018. Rachel Clow, for USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard out of St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard out of St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former President George W. Bush watches at the conclusion of the funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard out of St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former White House Chief of Staff James Baker after he gave a eulogy at the funeral service for former President George H.W. Bush at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston on Dec. 6, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard into St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

George P. Bush passes the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush after speaking at the funeral service at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard and placed in St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard into St. Martin's Episcopal Church Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018, in Houston. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of George H.W. Bush is led inside St. Martin's Episcopal Church after a military band played Hail to the Chief. The church in Houston's upscale Tanglewood neighborhood, was the spiritual home to the Bush family for more than 50 years. John Moritz, Corpus Christi Caller-Times via USA TODAY Network

Sgt. Wayne Goldwater of the Texas A&M Police Department guards the burial site of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP

Special Air Mission 41 carries the body of President George H.W. Bush over the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, the day before he will be buried there. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP

Texas A&M students Logan Mitchell, left, and Olivia Flores look at a statue of President George H.W. Bush at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Jay Janner, Austin American-Statesman via AP

Former President George W. Bush and family members of former President George H.W. Bush walk off Special Air Mission 41 as the casket arrives at Ellington Field Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Houston. Eric Gay, AP

Former President George W. Bush, with hand on heart, stands as his father, former President George H.W. Bush is carried from the Washington National Cathedral at the conclusion of the State Funeral service on Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former President George W. Bush returns to his seat after speaking during a State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a military honor guard during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melanie Trump with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, watch the conclusion of the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter, listen during a State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney speaks during the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a military honor guard during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a military honor guard during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former president George W. Bush, center, reaches past President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and former president Barack Obama to greet former first Lady Michelle Obama during the funeral service of former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, AFP/Getty Images

Former President Jimmy Carter and former Vice President Joe Biden arrive at a state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral, in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, greet former Sen. Alan Simpson as former President George H.W. Bush before a state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive at a State Funeral for Former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a military honor guard during a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

Former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard to a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Alex Brandon, AP

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for the State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Carolyn Kaster, AP

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as they join other former presidents and vice presidents and their spouses for the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

Congressional leaders from left to right, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, R-Wis, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-NY, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., watch as a U.S. military honor guard carries the flag-draped casket of former U.S. President George H. W. Bush from the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Pool photo by Win McNamee

Justino Delara, 100-years-old, joins the crowd to watch the arrival of the hearse containing the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY

Crowds gathered on a cold winter day to watch the arrival of the hearse containing the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. Hannah Gaber, USA TODAY

The hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is driven away from the Capitol to a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) ORG XMIT: DCAB205 Pool photo by Alex Brandon

People watch as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush passes Freedom Plaza on its way to a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Pool photo by Alex Brandon

People watch as the hearse carrying the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush heads to a State Funeral at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool) ORG XMIT: DCAB515 Pool photo by Alex Brandon

The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard from the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Pool photo by Alex Brandon

From right, former President George W. Bush, second from right, former first lady Laura Bush, Neil Bush, Sharon Bush, Bobby Koch, Doro Koch, Jeb Bush and Columba Bush, stand just prior to the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush being carried by a joint services military honor guard from the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. Pool photo by Alex Brandon

Former President Barack Obama, right, talks with Vice President Mike Pence before the funeral services for former President George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral, in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. ERIK S. LESSER, EPA-EFE

Former Vice President Joe Biden, fourth from left, and his wife Jill Biden, second from left, speak with Ivanka Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump, third from left, and her husband, President Donald Trump's White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, third from right, as former Vice President Al Gore, second from right, speak to former President Jimmy Carter, right, and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, bottom center, before a State Funeral for former President George H.W. Bush at the National Cathedral, Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, in Washington. AP

Former President Jimmy Carter, left, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as they arrive for the funeral services for former President George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral, in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. ERIK S. LESSER, EPA-EFE

Vice President Mike Pence, left, greets former Vice President Joe Biden as they arrive for the funeral services for former President George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral, in Washington, Dec. 5, 2018. ERIK S. LESSER, EPA-EFE

Jon Meacham, left, novelist and presidential biographer who will give a eulogy at George H.W. Bush's funeral service and previously gave a eulogy at the funeral of Barbara Bush, pays respects to President George H.W. Bush who lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY

Colin Powell, the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), who served under President George W. Bush, center, pays respect to President Bush as he lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Dec. 4, 2018. Jack Gruber, USAT

President George H.W. Bush's service dog Sully with Valerie Cramer of America's VetDogs at the U.S. Capitol to honor late president. Sully, a service dog trained by America's VetDogs, will join Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program after the holidays. President George H.W. Bush lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, Dec. 4, 2018. Jack Gruber, Jack Gruber-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Presidential Salute Battery marks the arrival of President George H. W. Bush's casket at the U.S. Capitol with a 21-gun salute by canons used in WWII, in which Bush also served.
HANNAH GABER, USA TODAY

Current Cabinet members pay their respect to the former President George H.W. Bush lies at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Monday. The late president will lie in state until 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY

Top- ranking Republicans Vice President Mike Pence, 2nd left, his wife Karen Pence, Janna Ryan, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sec. of Transportation Elaine Chow and
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pay their respects to the late President George H.W. Bush who lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY

Former President George W. Bush puts his arm around former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card as he and members of his family follow the casket carrying Bush's father, former President George H. W. Bush at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Dec. 3, 2018. Win McNamee/POOL/EPA-EFE

Former Secretary of State James Baker, left, and former Vice President Dan Quayle await the arrival of the procession carrying the casket of former President George H. W. Bush. Baker and Bush were close personal friends. Win McNamee/POOL/EPA-EFE

U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush, on Monday. The late president will lie in state until 7 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY

Former president George W. Bush, left, former first lady Laura Bush, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush share a moment as the late former President George H.W. Bush lies in state inside the Rotunda of the US Capitol. ALEX EDELMAN/AFP/Getty Images

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks as former President George H.W. Bush lies in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice president and 41st president of the United States. Brendan Smialowski/Pool/Getty Images

Former Secretary of State James Baker III, left, former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Secretary of State Colin Powell file in to pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush. Jack Gruber/USA TODAY

Former President George W. Bush watches as the flag-draped casket of his father, former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard to lie in state in the rotunda of the US Capitol, Monday. ALEX BRANDON/AFP/Getty Images

From right, former US Vice President Dan Quayle, James A. Baker III, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and other wait for the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush to arrive to lie in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Alex Brandon /POOL/EPA-EFE

Former first lady Laura Bush and former president George W. Bush look on as the casket of the late former President George H.W. Bush arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Dec. 3, 2018. A state funeral for Bush will be held in Washington over the next three days, beginning with him lying in state in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda until Wednesday morning. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Associate Justices Brett Kavanaugh, left, Elena Kagan, Clarence Thomas, and Chief Justice John Roberts arrive at the Capitol Rotunda. Former President George H.W. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda before his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral on Dec. 5. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/POOL/EPA-EFE

U.S. Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer talk while Senator Orrin Hatch (L-Rear) looks on as they attend ceremonies for the late President George H.W. Bush inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda. A WWII combat veteran, Bush served as a member of Congress from Texas, ambassador to the United Nations, director of the CIA, vice preside Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Getty Images

Acting U.S. Attorney General Matthew Whittaker arrives inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for a ceremony honoring late President George H. W. Bush at the U.S Capitol Rotunda. Jonathan Ernst/Pool/Getty Images

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, right, talks with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California, center, and House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., left, as they arrive to attend services for former US President George H.W. Bush. Pablo Martinez Monsivais/POOL/EPA-EFE

Former US President George W. Bush, center, and former First Lady Laura Bush walk from Special Air Mission 41, the plane that carried his father, former US President George H.W. Bush, to Washington ,DC Joint Base Andrews, MD, on Dec. 3, 2018. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Family members watch as the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush is carried by a joint services military honor guard at Joint Base Andrews. Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda before his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States (1989-1993), died at the age of 94 on 30 Nov. 2018, at his home in Texas. Alex Brandon/POOL/EPA-EFE

The yellow Labrador retriever Sully, the late former president's faithful service dog, walks on the tarmac after the flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush was carried to a hearse. NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Joint services military honor guard carry the flag-draped casket of the remains of former President George H.W. Bush during a departure ceremony to Washington at Ellington Field on Dec. 3, 2018 in Houston. Pool photo by David J. Phillip

Members of the U.S. Secret Service carry the casket with former President George H. W. Bush to a hearse at George H. Lewis Funeral Home after a family service, Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Houston. Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, in Houston. Kiichiro Sato, AP

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps in their dress greens stand outside where the remains of former President George H.W. Bush are kept before the first departure ceremony at George H. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home on Dec. 3, 2018, in Houston Pool photo by Godofredo A. Vasquez

A guest to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in University Park, Texas passes by a painted portrait of Bush's father, the late 41st President George H.W. Bush -- painted by former Pres. George W. Bush -- and a memorial wreath, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018. Tom Fox, The Dallas Morning News, via AP

Tiffany Utterson, right, and her children, from left to right, Ella, 11, Ian, 10 and Owen, 8, place a wreath outside the gated community entrance to the home of George H.W. Bush Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Houston. David J. Phillip, AP

A moment of silence is observed in the memory of former President George H.W. Bush during the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Dec. 2, 2018. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Caroline Cyboran, of Kingwood, Texas, looks at an exhibit while visting the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. Bush has died at age 94. Family spokesman Jim McGrath says Bush died shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. David J. Phillip, AP

A messages lies among flowers left at the base of a statue of George H.W. Bush outside the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. David J. Phillip, AP

The US flag flies at half-staff at the White House in tribute to former US President George H. W. Bush, on Dec. 1, 2018, in Washington, DC. Bush, who guided the US through the end of the Cold War and launched the international campaign to drive Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait, died on November 30, 2018, at his home in Houston. He was 94. Katie Schubauer, AFP/Getty Images

Kalob Duke, 6, of College Station, Texas, sits behind the desk in a replica of the Oval Office exhibit at the George H.W. Bush Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. David J. Phillip, AP

A man pays his respects to former President George H. W. Bush at a makeshift memorial across from Walker's Point, the Bush's summer home, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush died at the age of 94 on Friday, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. Robert F. Bukaty, AP

Caroline Western, 3, of College Station, Texas, touches at a statue of George H.W. Bush inside the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in College Station. David J. Phillip, AP

On Thursday, there were well-wishers again along the route of the special Union Pacific train that carried Bush’s casket from suburban Houston to College Station, Texas.

Trains had provided the transportation for Bush when he left for aviator training at various naval bases, and when he came home after seeing combat for a wartime wedding to Barbara Pierce of Rye, New York. On Thursday, on his final journey, it was a train that carried him to his burial plot near his presidential library, on the grounds of Texas A & M. He was to be buried next to his wife of 73 years and daughter Robin, who died in 1953 at age 3 of leukemia.

The night before the National Cathedral service, when Bush’s body was lying in repose at the Capitol Rotunda, there was the most poignant reminder of the Greatest Generation, and their passing.

Former Kansas Senator Bob Dole arrived in the Capitol Rotunda to pay his respects to a one-time political rival who became a close friend, and a fellow veteran of World War II. The effort it took for Dole, 95, to stand from his wheelchair was etched in his face.

The wounds he had suffered in battle so many decades ago robbed him of the use of his right arm. So he raised his left hand in a final salute.

Former Sen. Bob Dole stands and salutes the casket of President George H.W. Bush who lies in state at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.(Photo: Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)